Energy Storage in Pennsylvania: SEPTA´s Novel and Innovative Integration of Emerging Smart Grid Technologies

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authoritýs (SEPTÁs) wayside energy storage initiatives have received national recognition for their innovative integration of emerging smart grid technologies with an aging transit infrastructure. These projects have the potential to transform the relationship between the transportation and energy industries. The concept of energy storage in transportation has been around for some time. Hybrid-electric technology improves vehicle fuel economy by coupling a diesel- or gasoline-fueled engine with an electric motor, which becomes an energy generator during braking. This regenerative braking process creates energy that can be used immediately or stored in a battery. With this additional source of energy, hybrid-electric vehicles require less fuel-based energy per mile. Hybrid buses, for example, are more than 30% more fuel efficient than their standard diesel counterparts.